Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
19% cheaper
Corpus Christi is 19% more affordable than Austin. A $75,000 salary in Austin is equivalent to $60,981 in Corpus Christi.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Corpus Christi sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $195,000 in Corpus Christi, a difference of $235,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $1,100 in Corpus Christi.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Austin scores 96 while Corpus Christi scores 94.
Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are higher than Corpus Christi (93). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $53,238 in Corpus Christi. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Corpus Christi.
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